Election 2013: Belvidere School Board rivals on the learning curve

Friday

BELVIDERE — The Belvidere School Board will be losing 44 years of combined experience on April 9.

Inside: Candidate bios, referendum update

BELVIDERE — The Belvidere School Board will be losing 44 years of combined experience on April 9.

President Dick Van Evera, Vice President Doug Smiley, Secretary Julia Norem and Darrell Fox are not seeking re-election. This powerhouse has worked to keep children’s needs first while making analytical decisions.

The board laid the foundation to likely reduce an anticipated multimillion-dollar deficit over the next three years, but it will be up to the new members to decide which cuts are necessary and when. They must decide whether to reverse budget-reduction plans or hastily implement ideas of their own.

“While they don’t have all those experiences, they all have children that are in school right now. That’s something that they bring to the table that’s very valuable,” Superintendent Michael Houselog said.

Six candidates are vying for five board seats. Stacy McGowan, Lee Baird, Robert Torbert and Karla Maville want one of the three seats that represent Belvidere Township residents; Larry Cunningham and Kelly Diamond are unopposed in their races. Cunningham was appointed to the board last year and must run to retain his seat.

The administration plans to bring the new group up to speed by providing informational sessions during board meetings or board retreats. They must learn school finances, bond authority and referendums, among educational initiatives.

The new board will be challenged to reduce a projected deficit that was caused by declining state revenue and enrollment. They may see Illinois officials agree to push pensions onto local governments.

Members must be willing to put in lengthy nonpaid hours to fully understand the district’s financial issues, said Norem, who has served on the board for 20 years. They must build relationships with the Belvidere Education Association and administrators.

“Of all the jobs I’ve held or anything I’ve done, I found school funding to be the most complex,” she said.

Despite the financial challenges, Houselog said, the candidates have made noticeable attempts to become educated about the district. They have attended a half-dozen community forums and School Board meetings in the past three months.

“We see them. We visit with them as an incoming board. They are interested,” he said.

William Lee Baird
Age: Not given
Occupation: Educational technology consultant
Political experience: Not given

Robert Torbert
Age: Not given
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Belvidere School Board, 2004-05 and 2010

Karla Maville
Age: 40
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: None

Other townships (pick one)
Kelly Diamond: Did not respond

Leaders hopeful that 2nd time’s the charm
The Citizens for School Bond Relief campaign committee hopes Boone County residents reconsider a referendum that changes the way locals pay off debt accumulated from school capital projects.

The Belvidere School Board has placed a “county school facility tax” referendum on the April 9 ballot, which would increase the sales tax 1 percentage-point, to 7.75 percent. It would help pay the $179 million debt owed in bond and interest payments by 2025.

The referendum provides residents another method to pay off this debt. Shoppers who visit Boone County can contribute, rather than property owners footing the entire bill.

The initiative failed by 316 votes in the Nov. 6 election, but leaders are confident that more of the electorate is informed and will vote in favor of this measure.

“We believe there are a number of voters who have changed their minds because they better understand it. We are optimistic that voters will approve it in April,” committee member Ken Swanson said.

Financial services firm Stifel Nicolaus expects the referendum to generate $2.8 million its first fiscal year. The Belvidere School District would receive $2.2 million, and the North Boone School District would receive $400,000.

The rest would be distributed among school districts in Winnebago, McHenry and DeKalb counties. Officials determine how much money each group receives based on the number of Boone County residents who attend those schools.

“It pays for debt that’s already been incurred and not authorizing any new debt,” Swanson said.

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